Summer of Peat & Love is the theme for the upcoming Ardbeg Day on the 2nd June.
The 60s inspired Peat & Love theme and this year’s Ardbeg Day bottling, Grooves, will be celebrated on Ardbeg Day at the distillery on Islay and in the rest of UK under the name The Magical Whisky Tour 2018 at whisky hotspots and music festivals.
An online tasting event will be hosted by Hard To Find Whisky, and Ardbeg Embassies around the UK will also take part.
These Ardbeg Embassies will participate on Saturday the 2nd June 2018:
- Gordon & MacPhail, Elgin, Scotland
- Luvians, Cupar, Scotland
- Royal Mile Whiskies, Edinburgh, Scotland
- Vintage House / The Soho Whisky Club, London
- The Wee Dram, Bakewell, The Peak District
The Magical Whisky Tour 2018
The Magical Whisky Tour 2018 is also commencing on Ardbeg Day. Ardbeg’s 60s inspired VW Van will be touring the UK stopping at music festivals, Ardbeg Embassies, and bars spreading Peat & Love. Unfortunately, Ardbeg informed us they have no plans on taking the Ardbeg VW Van outside the UK as of now.
The Magical Whisky Tour 2018 will stop at these musical festivals, among others:
- Euroica Brittania, 15th – 17th June, Derbyshire
- Love Supreme, 29th June – 1st July, Lewes
- Blue Dot Festival, 20th – 22nd July, Macclesfield
- Kendall Calling, 26th – 29th July, Cumbria
Ardbeg Grooves Limited Edition
Ardbeg Grooves is a limited-edition bottling created to celebrate Ardbeg Day 2018. It is the Distillery?s first whisky with a heart matured in wine casks that have been intensely charred to carve heavy grooves in the surface of the wood. The result is a whisky with perfect harmony between smouldering, smoky cinnamon and the sweetness of vanilla popcorn, treacle and pear ? with an intensity Ardbeg lovers will adore.
46% ABV, RRP ?98
Tasting notes
Colour: Berbere (African spice blend of a reddish/orange hue)
Nose: Intense aromas of smoked cinnamon and paprika, antique leather and saddle soap, with classic Ardbeg scents of pine resin, tar and briny sea spray in the background. A distant hint of a fragrant bonfire by the shores of the distillery and, finally, an unusual savoury note, like chilli-seasoned meats. A little splash of water releases some beautiful, unexpected aromas: lavender scented soap, ground white pepper, floral and herbal notes entwined. Fresh flowers mix with coriander leaves and mint.
Taste: A powerfully salty mouthfeel drifts into sweet vibes of treacle toffee, vanilla popcorn, salted fruits with soot and tar. Again, those distinctive savoury notes of smoky BBQ, paprika and mustard spice, fading into an unexpected haze of smoked pears and apples, almost like pear cider.
Finish: Smoked paprika and bonfires with a mellow sweetness throughout.
